The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs is a bi-weekly talk podcast dedicated to exploring different aspects of nerdly arts and culture. Together bringing over 80 years of experience to the table, the hosts, Rob and Don, try to take a seasoned, knowledgeable, and real-world approach to looking at the creation of nerd culture and the forces shaping it. The podcast covers topics ranging from from film and comics to writing and history, and pretty much everything in between. If it's a hobby shared by few or by many, you can expect to hear it talked about by the Department of Nerdly Affairs. New episodes every second Friday!
Come chat with us at obeythedna.com!
- Update frequency
- every 19 days
- Average duration
- 92 minutes
- Episodes
- 141
- Years Active
- 2015 - 2024
DNA Podcast 060 – Chinese Webnovels with Jeremy Bai
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with translator and author Jeremy Bai to discuss the world of Chinese Webnovels. The trio discuss the history of Chinese adventure fiction being translated to En…
Fri 16 Feb 2018
DNA Podcast 059 – Portrayals of Strength in the Media
In this episode, Don and Rob look at cultural views of strength in the media. The pair explore why lead characters being strong is so important to North American audiences, how views of strength have…
Sat 03 Feb 2018
DNA Podcast 058 – Light Novels with Justus R Stone
In this episode, Don and Rob head East with Justus R. Stone, YouTube Light Novel Reviewer, to discuss the ins and outs of the Japanese and American Light Novel markets. Along the way, Justus takes th…
Fri 19 Jan 2018
DNA Podcast 057 – Culture War Profiteering
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss Culture War Profiteering. What is Culture War Profiteering? And how is it being used on you on a daily basis? The trio will delve into …
Sun 07 Jan 2018
DNA Podcast 056 – Writing Shonen Manga
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down to discuss Rob’s new book- Write! Shonen Manga. The pair discuss the history of Shonen manga, the different types and meta-genres, and how the Japanese approach …
Fri 08 Dec 2017
DNA Podcast 055 – Making the Biff Straker RPG
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with their friend Jack Ward to help him construct a tabletop RPG system for his Audio Drama series Spaceways Starring Biff Straker. In the process, the trio disc…
Sat 25 Nov 2017
DNA Podcast 054 – TV Superheroes
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to discuss the history of American TV superheroes. From the open plains where the Lone Ranger roams, to Gotham City and Smallville, the pair chart the history of…
Mon 13 Nov 2017
DNA Podcast 053 – The Horror of Paul E. Cooley
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with horror author Paul E. Cooley to talk about his genre of choice. The three discuss exactly what horror is, Don’s Eight Types of Horror, and the good and bad …
Fri 27 Oct 2017
DNA Podcast 052- A Brief History of American Comics
In this episode, Rob and Don plunge into the vast history of American comic books and try to make sense of it all. The pair explore the origins of the first comic books, and how the name Gains change…
Sat 07 Oct 2017
DNA Podcast 051 – Comedy Tabletop RPGs
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by their friend Chad to discuss Comedy Tabletop Roleplaying Games. The three delve into the classics of the genre like Paranoia and Toon, check out their old A…
Fri 22 Sep 2017
DNA Podcast 050 – Horror Tabletop RPGs
In this episode, Don and Rob trip the night fantastic with their friend Chad and discuss the creepy subject of Horror Role Playing Games. Long regarded as one of the harder types of RPGs to run, the …
Sat 09 Sep 2017
DNA Podcast 049 – Star Trekking with Jack Ward
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to go where no man has boldly gone before! The past and future collide as the three discuss the history of Trek and whether or not it’s still rele…
Sat 26 Aug 2017
DNA Podcast 48 – History of Manga (Part 2)
In this episode, Rob and Don finish their discussion of the History of Japanese Comics. Starting in the 1980’s, they discuss the rise and fall of Shonen Jump, how Dragonball changed everything, and h…
Sat 12 Aug 2017
DNA Episode 47 – The History of Manga (Part 1)
In this episode, Rob and Don journey back into the past of Japanese comic books to explore it from its roots 1300 years ago until the great experimental manga age of the 1970s. They explore the Euro…
Sat 29 Jul 2017
DNA Podcast 046 – Interview with Larry Houston
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Larry Houston, storyboard artist and animation producer, to talk about his history in animation and work on X-men: The Animated Series. The trio discuss how…
Mon 17 Jul 2017
DNA Episode 045 – Affluence in the Media
In this episode, Rob and Don delve into the topic of Affluence in the Media. Where do our ideas of wealth come from? How does the media shape our ideas of what it is to be wealthy? And why is Richie …
Sat 01 Jul 2017
DNA Podcast 044 – Musical Brains
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by their friend Richard Moule to discuss music and how it affects us. The trio explore the physical processes behind our reactions and interactions with musi…
Sat 17 Jun 2017
DNA Podcast 043 – Post Apocalyptic RPGs
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined again by their friend Chad to discuss Post-Apocalyptic (Tabletop) Role Playing Games. The three discuss the different ways in which an RPG can be Post-Apocalyp…
Sat 03 Jun 2017
DNA Podcast 042 – Dungeons and Dragons
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by fellow gamer Jack Ward to discuss the granddaddy of tabletop roleplaying- Dungeons and Dragons. The intrepid trio throw on their adventuring gear and delve …
Fri 19 May 2017
DNA Podcast 041 – Remakes, Sequels and Reboots. Oh My!
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to discuss the issues involved with remakes, prequels, sequels and reboots, and why at best they’re a tough act to pull off well, and at worst they’re totally aw…
Fri 05 May 2017
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